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Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Redear Sunfish
Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Known as the 'shellcracker' for its ability to crush snail shells with specialized throat teeth, the redear sunfish is found across the southern and central United States and reaches trophy sizes in many waters. They grow larger than most sunfish species, making them a prized catch for panfish enthusiasts.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Slow
Feb
Slow
Mar
Good
Apr
Good
May
Prime
Jun
Prime
Jul
Prime
Aug
Prime
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Slow
Dec
Slow

Best Techniques

Top Baits

Fishing Regulations

Season dates and limits for Redear Sunfish, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.

Florida 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 50/day, 100 possession

Included in panfish aggregate bag limit of 50 per day.

Effective 2025 · Source: myfwc.com

Georgia 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 50/day, 100 possession

Included in sunfish aggregate daily limit of 50.

Effective 2025 · Source: georgiawildlife.com

Kentucky 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 30/day, 60 possession

Included in sunfish aggregate daily limit of 30.

Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov

Louisiana 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 50/day, 100 possession

No minimum size. Combined sunfish daily bag of 50 with bluegill.

Effective 2025 · Source: wlf.louisiana.gov

North Carolina 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 30/day, 60 possession

Included in sunfish aggregate daily limit of 30.

Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org

South Carolina 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 30/day, 60 possession

Included in sunfish aggregate daily limit of 30.

Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.sc.gov

Tennessee 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 50/day, 100 possession

Included in sunfish aggregate daily limit of 50.

Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov

State Records

Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.

State Weight Length Angler Year Water
CA 5.81 lb — Hector Brito 2014 Lake Havasu
NC 4.94 lb — Travis Jackson — Private pond, Edgecombe Co.
FL 4.86 lb — Joseph Floyd 1986 Merritts Mill Pond
GA 4.13 lb — Pat Lawrence 1995 Richmond Co. pond
OH 3.58 lb — Bert Redman 1998 Farm pond, Licking Co.
TN 3.38 lb — Annelise S. Houston 1979 Private Pond
TX 2.99 lb — John Runnels 1997 Lady Bird Lake
MO 2.44 lb — Glenda Gollaher 1988 Whetstone Creek
MI 2.36 lb 12.6 in — 2010 Lyon Lake

Caught a Redear Sunfish?

Log your catch and see how it stacks up against state records.

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